(Minghui.org) May 13, 2024 is the 32nd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction, and Master Li’s birthday. Falun Dafa practitioners held a celebration on the National Mall on Saturday, May 11, 2024, and wished Master a happy birthday.
Practitioners did the exercises near the Washington Monument and conducted performances including the dragon dance, waist drums, and traditional dances to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
Practitioners celebrated World Falun Dafa Day on the National Mall on Saturday, May 11, 2024, and wished Master a happy birthday.
Group practice in front of the Washington Monument
Practitioners performed the dragon dance, waist drums, and traditional dances to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
Elected Officials Recognize World Falun Dafa Day
From left to right in the top row: Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland, House Representative David Trone from Maryland, and Governor Wes Moore of the State of Maryland. From left to right in the bottom row: Speaker Adrienne A. Jones of the Maryland House of Delegates, State Senator Benjamin F. Kramer of Maryland, and County Executive John A. Olszewski, Jr. of Baltimore County, Maryland.
United States Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland issued a Certificate of Special Recognition to honor the 25th World Falun Dafa Day.
Congressman David Trone, representing Maryland’s 6th District, issued a Certificate of Congressional Recognition to the Falun Dafa Association of DC, “Today we are celebrating the Falun Dafa spiritual discipline and its positive impact on the health and spirit of millions of people around the world!”
The House of Delegates of Maryland passed resolution #172 offering its sincerest congratulations to Mr. Li Hongzhi.
Benjamin F. Kramer, State Senator of Maryland, issued an official citation to the Falun Dafa Association of Washington DC in recognition of World Falun Dafa Day.
Baltimore County Executive John A. Olszewski, Jr. issued a proclamation recognizing May 13, 2024, as World Falun Dafa Day.
Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland will hoist the national flag on the US Capitol on May 13, 2024 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.
Practitioners Appreciate Master
Jim Giragosian, a former government contractor, began practicing Falun Dafa about 24 years ago. He said, “It was in 2000, not long after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began to persecute Falun Dafa. At that time, there were many truth-clarification activities in Washington, DC. I learned about Falun Dafa and started practicing the exercises at home. I read Falun Dafa books and watched the video of Master’s lectures on the Falun Dafa website. Soon after I practiced, my wife said, ‘You seem to be a different person. You are kinder and more patient.’ I am very happy to be a Dafa practitioner.”
Mr. Jim Giragosian appreciates Master.
“Happy birthday, Master,” Mr. Giragosian said. “I thank you for introducing this wonderful practice to people.”
Mr. Robert Stenerson said, “I started practicing Falun Dafa in 2002, and my life completely changed since then.”
Mr. Robert Stenerson appreciates Master.
Mr. Stenerson owned a business, but he said his prosperous life did not bring him happiness. After practicing cultivation, he felt happiness like he had never experienced before. “I had a good job and made a lot of money, but I was lost.”
He said, “After practicing cultivation, I have a completely healthy life. Dafa teaches me to look within, and I gained inner peace.”
Haq, a Pakistani-American, started practicing Falun Dafa at the end of 2001 and has been practicing Falun Dafa for more than 20 years now. She said, “Because I follow Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, it brings harmony to my life and family. When people around me see my behavior in troubled times, they often say, ‘Why are you so calm?’ They can see the contrast, as the society is full of craziness, and people show anger or discomfort. Then they see the contrast, especially people who are close to me. They say Falun Dafa is good.”
Haq said she grew up in the United States but lived in Pakistan for ten years as an adult, and helped Pakistanis learn about Falun Dafa. She said many people there are interested in the practice.
Haq, a Pakistani-American, practices the exercises in front of the Washington Monument.
Constantin from Bulgaria said in Chinese, “Thank you, Master” at the celebration on the National Mall.
Constantin practices the exercises in front of the Washington Monument.
Constantin started practicing Falun Dafa in 2003. He said, “I benefited a lot from practicing Dafa. I found what I had been looking for in Dafa. Dafa has opened up a broader vision of life for me, and I gained insight into everything. I am calmer than before. I feel that practicing Dafa is really good.”
He said it was important to let more people know about Falun Dafa. He said that he has been doing this since he started practicing.
Ms. Phyllis Gray, a contractor for the U.S. federal government, became an English teacher after she graduated from college in 2024. One of her students who practices told her about Falun Dafa and the CCP’s persecution in China. “It’s great that they’ve been able to stay resilient even through tough times,” she said.
She came to participate in the celebration of World Falun Dafa Day to express her support. She said she wanted to say to Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, “Congratulations to you for spreading Falun Dafa all over the world. There are people practicing Falun Dafa in every country. I think this is absolutely inspiring.”
Young Practitioner: Practicing Dafa Has a Positive Impact on My Life
Wang Tianjing was born and raised in the United States, and is 22 years old. He has been practicing Dafa with his parents since he was a child.
He said, “I have been exposed to Dafa since I was a child, and cultivation has had a positive impact on me throughout my life. Dafa’s teachings inspire me to maintain a more positive attitude in life. When I encounter difficulties and tribulations, I try to be positive as much as possible, and know that I should regard these hardships as opportunities to improve my character.”
Wang Tianjing appreciates Master.
He also said, “I realized that when facing conflicts with others, the best way is to reflect on myself and look inward. Because such conflicts provide precious opportunities to improve my character. Falun Dafa has led me to live in a positive direction.
“Even when I stumble or fail to handle difficulties or tribulations, Dafa guides me on how to learn from my shortcomings and do better in the future. As I read Dafa books every day, I clearly know what I can learn from these experiences and how can I improve myself in the future.”
Tianjing received double degrees at the age of 21, in computer science and music, from the University of Maryland, College Park. He currently works for the U.S. Department of Defense as a computer scientist. He recently received an admission letter from Johns Hopkins University’s graduate school. This summer he will start a busy life of working and studying for a master’s degree in computer science.
Senior Statistician: Practicing Dafa Showed Me the Meaning of Life
Dr. Liu Ningping lives in Washington, and is a Senior Statistician at a non-profit organization in Maryland. Dr. Liu graduated from Tsinghua University in Beijing. He came to the United States to study for a Ph.D. in 1995 and began practicing Falun Dafa when he attended Washington University.
He said, “Practicing Dafa satisfactorily answered many unanswerable questions in my life and allowed me to understand the true meaning of life. It also broadened my understanding and vision of science, allowing me to learn more about it, and look at the development of science from a high perspective. Since I was a child, I preferred mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Practicing Dafa made me realize the connection between traditional humanities and science and engineering. I came to understand that only ethical technology can truly benefit mankind. I used to admire Western technology. Practicing Dafa made me realize the profoundness of Chinese traditional culture.”
Dr. Liu said that practicing Dafa allows him to be considerate of others at all times, everywhere. “Six years ago, my father suffered from severe Alzheimer’s disease and no longer recognized people. He could not take care of himself. I thought about sending him to a nursing home, but I remembered Falun Dafa teaches me to be considerate and be a good person who is selfless. So I decided to take care of him at home to the best of my ability. I had to make some changes and sacrifices in my life.
“I never had a deep relationship with my father. If I hadn’t practiced Dafa, it would be hard for me to imagine that I could do all this without complaint. Dafa has expanded the capacity of my heart.”
Dr. Liu has practiced Dafa for 29 years, and says he is full of gratitude to Master.
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